Dracaena plant named ‘REIJDRAMAS2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena fragrans  cultivar named ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ which is characterized by a globular plant shape, moderate to strong branching, near-orbicular leaves with heavily undulated margins, a unique cupped to undeeply tubular leaf aspect, a hastate to tubular leaf base, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dracaena fragrans (L.) Ker Gawl.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Dracaena fragrans disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘REIJDRAMAS2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ is the result of a spontaneous whole-plant mutation of Dracaena fragrans ‘REIJDRAMAS’ which was discovered at the inventor's commercial greenhouse in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, the Netherlands in March of 2014. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing to assess the stability of the unique characteristics of this variety. ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ was ultimately selected for commercialization in March of 2015 due to its unique foliage variegation and plant habit.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction was initiated in March of 2015, by way of meristematic tissue culture, in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, the Netherlands. Through four subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘REIJDRAMAS2’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ as a new and distinct Dracaena fragrans cultivar:

-   -   1. ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ is a large, vigorous plant; and     -   2. ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ exhibits yellow-green foliage with dark green         stripes; and     -   3. ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ exhibits very glossy foliage; and     -   4. ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ exhibits improved cold hardiness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 40 week old, shown planted in a 24 cm nursery container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical mature foliage habit of ‘REIJDRAMAS2’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in March of 2016 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 40 week-old ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ plants grown in 24 cm nursery containers at commercial greenhouse in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, the Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols which consisted of flood benches for irrigation and scheduled liquid fertilizer applications. Biological pest control measures were utilized, but no chemical pest or disease control measures were applied during production. Plants were grown under shade and no photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ and a comparison with the parent and closest known comparator, Dracaena fragrans ‘REIJDRAMAS’, is provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial with a broad, oblong growth habit.         -   Plant shape.—Upright.         -   Height from soil level to top of foliar plane.—76.7 cm, on             average.         -   Plant diameter.—Average of 96.1 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast to fast.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate to vigorous.         -   Propagation.—Type — Stem cuttings. Time to produce a rooted             cutting — Approximately 16 weeks at 20 to 21 degrees             Celsius. Crop time — Approximately 1 year to produce a             marketable plant in a 17 cm container, and 1.5 years to             produce a marketable plant in a 24 cm container. Pinching is             not required to produce a well-shaped plant, but it does             promote branching.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither             resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests             of Dracaena has been observed.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 10             to 13 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius;             moderate tolerance to wind and rain. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not fleshy.         -   Color.—Yellow-White, RHS 158C. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching habit.—Not freely branching; typically there is             only one main stem present and no lateral branches. Will             develop lateral branches if pruned.         -   Dimensions.—10.8 cm long and 2.4 cm in diameter, on average.         -   Internode length.—0.4 cm, on average.         -   Texture, pubescence and luster.—Smooth, glabrous, and             moderately glossy.         -   Aspect.—Vertical.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, RHS 150D.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, RHS 145D to 150D.         -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, RHS 145D to 150D. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; spiraling.         -   Attachment.—Sheathing.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 23 leaves on the main stem.         -   Shape.—Lorate.         -   Dimensions.—72.9 cm long by 9.4 cm wide, on average.         -   Aspect.—Leaves are held in an average angle of 55 degrees to             the stem; leaves are curved and slightly twisted, with tips             pointing downward in an average angle of minus 50 degrees.         -   Apex.—Acute with a blunt tip.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath.—Dimensions — 5.6 cm long and 6.7 cm wide. Color,             adaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 150D. Color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, in between RHS 145C and 150C to             150D.         -   Margin.—Entire and coarsely undulated.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and glossy.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, in between             RHS 137C to 143A yet closest to 137C; broadly axially             (lengthways) and centrally striped yellow green, in between             RHS 144C and N144A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface —             Green, RHS 137C; broadly axially (lengthways) and centrally             striped yellow-green, RHS 144B, 144C and 145A. Mature             foliage, adaxial surface — Green to yellow-green, in between             RHS N137A and 147A yet closest to N137A; broadly axially             (lengthways) and centrally striped green and yellow-green,             RHS 143C, 144A, and N144A to N144C. Mature foliage, abaxial             surface — Green, RHS N137A and N137B; broadly axially             (lengthways) and centrally striped yellow-green, RHS 144A,             144B and 150D.         -   Venation.—Venation pattern — Parallel. Color, mature adaxial             surface — Same color as the leaf surface: Green to             yellow-green, in between RHS N137A and 147A yet closest to             N137A; broadly axially (lengthways) and centrally striped             green and yellow-green, RHS 143C, 144A, and N144A to N144C.             Color, mature abaxial surface — Main vein is yellow-green,             in between 150C and 151D; other veins are the same color as             the leaf surface: Green, RHS N137A and N137B; broadly             axially (lengthways) and centrally striped yellow-green, RHS             144A, 144B and 150D.         -   Petiole.—Not present; leaves are sheathing. -   Inflorescence: No flowering has been observed to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT AND CLOSEST KNOWN COMPARATOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ differ from the parent, Dracaena fragrans ‘REIJDRAMAS’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,682), which is also the closest known comparator, in several physical characteristics which are compared in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘REIJDRAMAS2’ ‘REIJDRAMAS’ Leaf sheath color, Yellow-green RHS 150D. Yellow-green RHS 145D. upper surface. Leaf sheath color, Between Yellow-green Yellow-green RHS 145D. lower surface. RHS 145C and 150C to 150D on the lower surface. Juvenile leaf Green, in between RHS Green to yellow-green, color, upper 137C and 143A, yet RHS 143A to 144A and surface. closest to 137C; broadly 144B; axially (length- axially (lengthways) ways) striped yellow- striped and centered green; RHS 150C to yellow-green, in between 150D. RHS 144C and N144A. Juvenile leaf Green, RHS 137C, and Green, RHS 137D to color, lower broadly axially striped and 138A and 138B, and surface. centered yellow-green, axially striped yellow- RHS 144B, 144C and green, RHS 145A to 145A. 150C. Mature leaf color, Green to yellow-green, in Green, in between RHS upper surface. between RHS N137A and 141A and 143A but 147A yet closest to darker; axially striped N137A; broadly axially yellow-green; RHS striped and centered green N144B to N144C. and yellow-green, RHS 143C, 144A and N144A to N144C. Mature leaf color, Green, N137A and N137B, Green, RHS 137D, and lower surface. and broadly axially striped axially striped yellow- and centered yellow- green, RHS N144C. green, RHS 144A, 144B and 150D. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dracaena fragrans plant named ‘REIJDRAMAS2’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 